As part of an ongoing expansion in services and marketing territory, Sterling Bank purchased Dallas-based NewStar Business Credit in March, acquiring its president, Michael Haddad and the other team members along with NSBC’s financial assets and clients. ABF Journal spoke with Haddad and Sterling
Specialty Lending Division President Ted Geisel about the impact the merger will have on the unit and their outlook on ABL lending in 2016.

Five industry executives weigh in with ABF Journal contributor Lisa Miller on the current ABL marketplace. They share their thoughts on 2015 performance, cash flow loans, supply and demand, M&A, alternative lenders and provide an outlook for the year ahead.

ABF Journal caught up with the newly-appointed leadership team at Wells Fargo Capital Finance to discuss their plans for the recently realigned Corporate Finance, Industries and Global Capital Solutions groups. With a continued focus on growth and customer financial success, the team shares their plan of action for the first 90 days — and for any challenges they may encounter on the road ahead.

A new generation of appraisers has emerged to meet the growing need of ABLs to value collateral and execute on transactions, with growing access to actionable data, along with associated offerings that mitigate risk and unleash value in a constricted marketplace.

Regular ABF Journal contributor Lisa A. Miller spoke with five ABL leaders to get the pulse of the ABL outlook for 2015. With an unexpected economic stallout in Q1/14, and the ongoing forces of excess liquidity, tight margins and heavy competition continuing to labor the market, new money opportunities can be challenging. However, optimism abounds as loan growth accelerates, and recent data revealed the banking sector experienced the highest rate of loan growth in 2014 since the economic downturn.

A lack of business credit may be contributing to the Eurozone’s sluggish economic recovery. FGI President/CEO David DiPiero considers whether asset-based lending could be a catalyst for sparking market growth in Europe, outlining key hurdles and how the landscape is evolving.

Evidence shows onshore drilling activity in the U.S. is not sustainable, given the current state of oil prices and issues facing producers. Joseph R. D’Angelo, partner at Carl Marks Advisors, looks at restructuring issues facing fracking suppliers and providers, and advises steps to take when ABLs are hit with vulnerable credits.

Robyn Barrett, founder of FSW Funding, says stereotypes about Mexico may deter some lenders from extending credit into the country — a potential missed opportunity. She stresses that every country presents its own set of risks and challenges, and a proactive approach can temper risks and ensure a favorable outcome.

Alternative forms of financing such as A/R factoring are flexible enough to focus on a company’s future potential and growth, as well as its history. Leigh Lones, CEO of Bibby Financial Services, recounts how Bibby crossed paths with Naadam Cashmere and why the factor took a chance on financing a unique and socially conscious business.

When Edward King founded King Trade Capital in 1993 in response to the need of a friend, he never envisioned achieving nearly $2 billion of capital deployed or becoming one of the most sought-after U.S.-based global purchase order/trade finance companies. But he did it — with integrity, discipline and entrepreneurial instinct.